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Charles was about to say more when Jane appeared at the top of stairs and began slowly descending. He ran up the steps to take her arm, as she often got off-balance because of her delicate condition.

Mrs. Bennet looked quite smug as Jane came towards her, even going so far as to smirk at Charles. But when Jane finally stood before her, she noticed that her daughter’s eyes were hard and unwelcoming.

“Why are you disrupting my home?”

“I have come to learn where you are going, and why you kept it a secret.”

“From now on, where I am and whom I visit will be of no consequence to you. I intend to sever all ties with you and my sisters and move as far away as possible.”

Mrs. Bennet paled, beginning to flap her handkerchief. “Why, you do not mean that! I am your mother and Peter’s grandmother! Surely you jest! But that is a cruel jest indeed!”

Jane stiffened, and Charles slipped his arm around her waist in support. “I swear to you, it is no jest, as you shall soon learn.”

“And what would give rise to this rejection of your family, even your own sisters?”

“You sold my most beloved sister into a loveless marriage to a madman. I think that is reason enough!”

“I … I sold?” Her voice failed, though the look on her face indicated that she knew of what Jane was speaking. It was obvious that she was suspicious of how much Jane knew about Elizabeth’s disappearance. “Whatever made you think—”

“Enough!” Jane’s voice was eerily cold and her countenance colder still. “I know everything! Suppose you start by telling me why you would do such a horrible thing. Make me understand, Mama, how you could sell your own flesh and blood!”

Jane’s demeanour was such that Mrs. Bennet knew she had no option except to lie. Her only hope was to garner sympathy instead of the wrath that now emanated from her eldest child.

“Can we not go into the drawing room? I should hate for our discussion to be gossip for the servants to spread.”

Jane turned on her heel, and she and Charles unceremoniously led the way to the drawing room where, once inside, Charles shut the door with no little noise, causing Mrs. Bennet to jump. Jane had moved ahead to take a seat on a small sofa, and he joined her there, taking her hand and glaring at her mother.

Seeing her once-favoured daughter so resolute on having an explanation, Mrs. Bennet began a sorrowful tale of woe, explaining her dire straits after Mr. Bennet’s demise and how all of them would have been living in the hedgerows had the count not made the offer she could not refuse.

“So, you see! I could have done no less! Lizzy was not likely to receive any other offers of marriage, as she was determined to be a scholar. Men do not appreciate women who flaunt what they know; they want someone compliant to warm their beds. You understood that. Why could she not?”

Jane’s sharp intake of breath did not bode well, so Mrs. Bennet quickly added, “I was doing her a favour in securing her a rich husband. And the rest of you would be able to live well in the bargain! And how is it my fault that she died in a fire?”

“A fire set by the very man to whom you sold her!”

Mrs. Bennet did not look surprised. “Well, if that is so, and I have no idea how you would know such a thing; it is not my fault! He seemed a gentleman to me!”

Jane stood shakily, her eyes blazing and her breathing ragged. Charles rose to steady her. “A gentleman? A gentleman? What part of Papa’s objections to this monster did not register in your hard heart? He rejected the man’s offers for my sister because he was well aware of his faults, thanks to Lord Stanton. And I know he told you everything, as he said he had, and you would not listen!”

Mrs. Bennet could only stutter, “I—I—”

“No! You knew he was no gentleman! You did not care how he would treat Lizzy, only that you would be paid for her sacrifice! You are despicable! I no longer want to be known as your daughter; and as for Mary, Kitty and Lydia, they have never once shown any concern or love for Lizzy. Like you, they care only for themselves. So, it will be no imposition to cut them from my life as well.”

Mrs. Bennet stood, shaking violently. “You do not mean that!” She attacked Charles. “You! You have done this!”

Jane resolutely stepped to within inches of her mother’s face, instantly silencing her. “You drove me away—no one else! Now, kindly leave my house and never try to see me or my child again!”

Charles had walked to the door and opened it. He motioned for two large footmen to step forward, when Jane finished and stalked out of the room, her mother on her heels, crying and begging.

At his nod, the footmen each took an arm and escorted Mrs. Bennet from the premises, even going so far as to walk her to the edge of the property and stand guard as she turned to berate them and the occupants of Netherfield Park.

Quickly Charles caught up with his wife, helping her up the stairs and into her room. Watching as she lay down on the bed, the tears streaming down her face, he immediately sat on the edge, trying to determine what course of action he should take.

“Janie? Are you well? Should I send for the physician?”

She shook her head without speaking and lay quietly for a moment with her arm across her face. Finally she moved her arm to her side and spoke, greatly easing his mind. “I am not crying because of what has just happened. I have neither respected nor loved Mama for some time now. I am crying for all that Lizzy went through for so selfish a reason. Father did not leave much, but she would never have had to live in the hedgerows. Greed was responsible for my sister’s dreadful experience. She nearly died!”

As Jane’s tears began again, Charles leaned down to kiss her forehead. “This is not good for you or our child.” He ran his hand over Jane’s stomach. “Lizzy would not want you to risk your health or the child’s when she is so deliriously happy.”